Who painted Pope Sixtus II. bids farewell to St. Lawrence?

Pope Sixtus II. bids farewell to St. Lawrence was painted by Michael Pacher in 1465.

Where can I see Pope Sixtus II. bids farewell to St. Lawrence?

Pope Sixtus II. bids farewell to St. Lawrence is held by Kunsthistorisches Museum.

What movement is Pope Sixtus II. bids farewell to St. Lawrence?

Pope Sixtus II. bids farewell to St. Lawrence is associated with Early Renaissance.

Can I buy a print of Pope Sixtus II. bids farewell to St. Lawrence?

Museum-quality prints of Pope Sixtus II. bids farewell to St. Lawrence are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Pope Sixtus II. bids farewell to St. Lawrence

Michael Pacher , 1465

Pope Sixtus II. bids farewell to St. Lawrence is an oil painting by the Early Renaissance artist Michael Pacher. It dates from 1465 and is held in the collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1465 by the Tyrolean artist Michael Pacher, this oil-on-panel painting presents a solemn encounter between Pope Sixtus II and the martyr Saint Lawrence. Executed during Pacher’s early adoption of Renaissance methods in the German lands, the work now belongs to the Kunsthistorisches Museum’s collection.

Subject & Meaning

The composition centers on the papal figure extending a gesture toward a heavily armored companion, suggesting the transfer of authority or blessing. Flanked by four additional figures in elaborate dress, the scene reflects the religious narrative of the saint’s farewell and the papal role in his martyrdom.

Technique & Style

Pacher employs a vivid palette of reds, blues, and greens, rendering fabrics and armor with meticulous attention to texture and rivet detail. The figures are rendered in a stiff, formal manner, characteristic of early Northern Renaissance painting, while the architectural backdrop—featuring a tower and arched windows—offers a flattened spatial setting.

History & Provenance

After its completion, the painting entered the artistic milieu of late‑medieval Central Europe before being acquired by the Kunsthistorisches Museum, where it remains on display. Its provenance traces a path from regional devotional contexts to a major Austrian national collection.

Context

Pacher’s career spanned painting, sculpture, and architecture, with a reputation for producing large, intricately carved altarpieces. This work exemplifies his transition from Gothic conventions toward the emerging Renaissance aesthetic, illustrating the cross‑regional exchange of artistic ideas in the mid‑15th century.

Own this work as a print

Artist & collection

Artist

Michael Pacher

Michael Pacher (c. 1435 – August 1498) was a painter and sculptor from Tyrol active during the second half of the fifteenth century. He was one of the earliest artists to introduce the principles of Renaissance painting…